- Published 2026.11.06 02:57
Guangzhou Shipyard held keel-laying for third LNG dual-fuel PCTC on Nov. 2
Second vessel delivered nine months early as scale and speed drive expansion
Hyundai Glovis has begun construction in China of its third 10,800 CEU (car equivalent unit) eco-friendly pure car and truck carrier (PCTC), the world's largest. The move is part of a fleet expansion aimed at meeting growing cargo demand in the global car shipping market by leveraging overwhelming loading capacity.
On Nov. 2, Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI), a unit of China State Shipbuilding Corp. (CSSC), announced it has started building the third 10,800 CEU liquefied natural gas (LNG) dual-fuel PCTC to be operated by Hyundai Glovis. The yard delivered the first and second vessels in April and October, respectively, and has now immediately moved on to the third.
Designed by Shanghai Merchant Ship Design and Research Institute (SDARI), the vessel measures 230 meters in length, 40 meters in width and has a draft of 10.5 meters. It can carry up to 10,800 vehicles at once, the largest capacity in the world. If the loaded vehicles were lined up in a row, they would stretch over 50 kilometers.
Specialized design features have been applied to improve loading efficiency. Five of the 14 car decks are height-adjustable, allowing flexible loading of vehicles of various sizes, including electric vehicles, hydrogen vehicles and large trucks. Inside the hull, 16 sets of hydraulic movable ramps and two levels of hydraulic movable decks have been installed to enhance loading and unloading stability.
The vessel also secures eco-friendly performance and operational economics. It is equipped with a dual-fuel propulsion system that can use LNG and fuel oil alternately, meeting the International Maritime Organization's latest Tier III emission standards. In addition, shaft generators and solar power systems have been installed to achieve both environmental protection and fuel savings.
Hyundai Glovis's successive introduction of ultra-large PCTCs is a move to break through the shortage of car carrier supply. While demand for shipping capacity has increased due to expanding EV exports, available vessels are in short supply due to the aftereffects of a past order drought. In response, Hyundai Glovis is rapidly securing a fleet of 10,800 CEU ultra-large vessels not only through direct orders but also through long-term charter contracts with domestic and foreign shipping companies.
In this process, Chinese shipyards are sweeping up orders with competitive pricing and fast construction. According to Clarkson Research, a UK-based shipbuilding and shipping market analysis firm, China held a 97.7% share of the PCTC newbuilding market in the first half of 2023. In fact, the second vessel, 'Glovis Legend', delivered by Guangzhou Shipyard on Oct. 12, was completed about nine months ahead of the contractual delivery date.
After completion, the third vessel will join Hyundai Glovis's fleet and be immediately deployed on major global car shipping routes. It will handle long-distance maritime transport connecting Asia, North America and Europe to meet global automotive trade demand.
※ This article is an AI translation of the Korean original published by Korea Credit News; it was checked by automated quality guards and published by the English edition desk.
